San Francisco is a city of many names, each with its own story. Whether you call it “The City,” “SF,” or something else, these nicknames reflect the city’s diverse culture and vibrant history. While locals often stick to calling it by its full name, the variety of monikers reveals how people experience and celebrate different aspects of this unique city. Let’s explore some of the most well-known nicknames and where you can catch a glimpse of their essence.
We live in San Francisco Bay Area and while other cities’ residents use nicknames, we just say the full name – San Francisco. Other locals call it San Francisco as well. But San Francisco has many nicknames that locals and tourists have used. In this post, we’ll cover the 9 popular nicknames for San Francisco and the best places to see San Francisco’s nicknames.
Planning your trip to San Francisco? Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:
📸 Best Tours In San Francisco:
- Private Sailboat Charter In San Francisco Bay (customizable route)
- Best Alcatraz & San Francisco Combo Tour (private + Alcatraz audio guide)
- Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip From San Francisco (small group)
- San Francisco Super Saver: Muir Woods & Wine Country (2 tours for 1 price!)
- San Francisco Love Tour (ride in a ’70s Volkswagen bus)
😴 Best Hotels In San Francisco:
- citizenM San Francisco Union Square (💲) (1.9 miles from Coit Tower)
- LUMA Hotel San Francisco (💲💲) (less than a mile from SFMOMA)
- The Fairmont Heritage Place (💲💲💲) (be treated like a celebrity!)
🚘 Best Car Rental In San Francisco: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)
9 Popular Nicknames Of San Francisco
1. The City
If locals ever do call San Francisco by another name, they call it “The City”. It’s the largest city in Northern California and when you say the city, everyone knows what you’re talking about. It’s also believed to be rooted in the city’s history, as San Francisco was one of the largest and most important cities in California during the 19th century.
At the time, it was the largest city on the West Coast, and it quickly became known as “The City” to distinguish it from other smaller towns and settlements in the area. Today, the nickname continues to be used by locals with pride for the city’s unique character and culture.
2. SF
Since SF is just an abbreviation of San Francisco, it’s also accepted by locals after “The City”. Plus, “SF” is an easy and well-known shorthand for the city that’s used in social media, advertising, and other forms of communication where the shorter, the better.
👉 Not to be confused by SFO for the San Francisco International Airport.
3. City by the Bay
This nickname is more often used poetically for its location on San Francisco Bay. You can hear the nickname in the song “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” by Tony Bennett. Being the world’s largest landlocked harbor, the bay has played an important role in the history of San Francisco, from the early days of the gold rush to the present day.
The city’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge spans the entrance to the bay, making it a recognizable landmark. And the bay provides a unique backdrop to the city, with its many islands, bridges, and waterfront views.
4. San Fran
While tourists use “San Fran” to refer to the city, most locals don’t like this nickname. The nickname “San Fran” isn’t as widely used because it’s not an accurate or widely accepted abbreviation of the city’s name. While tourists may find it catchy or convenient to say, locals may even consider it disrespectful, cringe-worthy, or an obvious sign of being an outsider.
5. ‘Frisco
San Francisco is sometimes called “‘Frisco” due to the shortened and modified version of its name. While commonly used by tourists, this nickname isn’t favored by most locals. Some see it as a sign of disrespect or lack of familiarity with the city.
The origins of the nickname may have emerged in the mid-19th century during the Gold Rush era. Some sources suggest that the nickname was first used by sailors and longshoremen, who referred to San Francisco as “The Frisco,” which was later shortened to “‘Frisco.”
The name was popularized by songwriters and entertainers who used it in their works. In the early 20th century, the nickname was widely used in popular culture, appearing in books, films, and songs. Movie examples include Frisco Kid (1935 film), Frisco Jenny (1932 film), and The Frisco Kid (1979 film).
6. Fog City
San Francisco is often called “Fog City” or “City of Fog” because of the city’s frequent foggy weather. The city’s unique geography, which includes hills and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, creates ideal conditions for the formation of fog, especially during the summer months. So while it rarely snows, rain and fog happen often in San Francisco.
The fog is so well-known in the city that it has even been given a name: “Karl the Fog.” Karl has become a beloved part of the city’s culture, and locals often take pride in their foggy weather and the unique character it brings to the city.
Here are some of the best places to check out fog:
Golden Gate Bridge: The Golden Gate Bridge is a prime location for experiencing the fog. On a foggy day, the bridge disappears into the mist, creating a magical atmosphere.
Lands End: Located at the western edge of San Francisco, Lands End is a rugged park with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The park is often covered in fog, making it a great spot for a relaxed hike.
Twin Peaks: Twin Peaks is a pair of hills in the center of San Francisco that offer panoramic views of the city. On foggy days, the view can be hidden, but the fog rolling in and out is a dramatic sight.
Baker Beach: Baker Beach is a popular beach in San Francisco that offers views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can see fog on the Golden Gate Bridge above the beach, especially during the summer months when the marine layer is at its thickest.
7. Baghdad by the Bay
San Francisco is sometimes referred to as the “Baghdad by the Bay,” a nickname that was created by journalist Herb Caen in the 1940s. The nickname was inspired by the city’s vibrant cultural scene, which Caen compared to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Baghdad, Iraq.
At the time, San Francisco was known for its thriving arts community, lively nightlife, and diverse population. The city was a hub for writers, musicians, and artists, and its bohemian neighborhoods like North Beach and Haight-Ashbury drew young people from across the country.
The nickname “Baghdad by the Bay” reflects the city’s reputation as a place of energy, creativity, and excitement. While the nickname is less commonly used today, it remains a part of San Francisco’s rich cultural history.
8. The Paris Of The West
San Francisco has been nicknamed “The Paris of the West” because of its cultural sophistication and its reputation as a center for the arts, fashion, and cuisine. The nickname was first coined in the late 19th century when San Francisco was growing in popularity.
During this time, the city was home to a thriving arts scene, with theaters, galleries, and concert halls that attracted audiences from across the country. The city was also known for its fashion and style, with upscale department stores and fashionable boutiques catering to the city’s wealthy residents.
Plus, San Francisco was home to many French immigrants, who brought with them a love of culture and fashion. This French influence can be seen in the city’s architecture, cuisine, and cultural institutions. The nickname “The Paris of the West” reflects San Francisco’s reputation as a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city, with rich cultural and art history.
9. The Golden City
This nickname isn’t as popular now but it was ages ago. San Francisco is often called “The Golden City” because of its association with the California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century. In 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California, sparking a mass migration of gold-seekers from all over the world. That’s one of the reasons why California is called the golden state.
Many of these people made their way to San Francisco, which was then a small town on the edge of the San Francisco Bay. As the Gold Rush intensified, San Francisco grew rapidly, becoming a center for commerce and trade.
The city’s port was a hub for shipping and transportation, and its banks and businesses played a key role in financing the mining operations that were taking place throughout the region. Over time, the nickname “The Golden City” came to represent not just the city’s connection to the Gold Rush, but also its economic and cultural significance.
Best Places to Experience San Francisco’s Nicknames
San Francisco’s nicknames offer a unique perspective on the city’s culture, history, and identity. Here are some of the best places to experience San Francisco’s nicknames:
😍 Golden Gate Bridge – As one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge is a fitting symbol of San Francisco’s nickname, “The Golden City.”
😍 Palace of Fine Arts – The Palace of Fine Arts is a stunning example of French neoclassic architecture, Beaux-Arts where you can see this San Francisco nickname, “The Paris of the West.”
😍 Haight-Ashbury – As the birthplace of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, Haight-Ashbury is a fitting representation of San Francisco’s nickname, “Baghdad by the Bay.” The neighborhood offers a glimpse into San Francisco’s bohemian past.
We can explore San Francisco by driving around, taking public transit or just walking around – which we recommend!
If you’re wondering about car rentals, here’s a guide to renting a car in San Francisco.
San Francisco Map
Where to Stay In San Francisco
San Francisco has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:
Budget-Friendly Option: citizenM San Francisco Union Square
Mid-Priced Option: LUMA Hotel San Francisco
Lux Option: The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
Frequently Asked Questions
San Francisco locals just call the city by its full name but when they do use a nickname, they call it either “The City” or “SF.”
No, locals don’t call the city “San Fran” and don’t like the name. If you hear the nickname “San Fran” used, then it’s coming from a tourist.
The San Francisco fog is commonly referred to as “Karl the Fog.” The nickname comes from a Twitter account, @KarlTheFog, created in 2010.
Yes, the Karl The Fog is popular and is used by locals and tourists to refer to the fog in San Francisco. Karl’s tweets are known to be mischievous with a sarcastic sense of humor.
San Francisco is sometimes called “Frisco,” but many locals don’t use this nickname and may even consider it disrespectful or lack familiarity with the city.
San Francisco is known for its Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz Island, diverse culture, steep hills, Victorian architecture, and thriving food and arts scene.
The population of San Francisco is 894,584. San Francisco is the 4th most populous city in California, behind Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose. It’s the 17th most populous city in the United States.
Final Thoughts
While the city has many nicknames, we prefer calling it by its full name or may use “The City” or “SF”. If you hear other nicknames being used, then you’re most likely talking to a non-local. But, it’s always fun to learn about the different nicknames associated with San Francisco and appreciate the history and culture behind each one.
How does San Francisco compare to other cities? Check out these comparison guides with Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and Denver.
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